Video: London mayor swipes at Romney at Olympics rally for criticizing UK’s preparation

posted at 5:21 pm on July 26, 2012 by Allahpundit

If you’d asked me last week how I saw Mitt’s big foreign policy trip playing out, having him name-checked as a naysaying stooge before a huge crowd at the start of the Olympics — by a Tory, no less — would not have popped to mind. It’s like a scene from a lost “Naked Gun” movie in which Frank Drebin runs for president.

Watch the quickie clip below from last night’s NBC interview to see what caused the kerfuffle. The word that got the British press hopping today is “disconcerting.” Said a pissy David Cameron about Romney’s Olympics stint at Salt Lake City, “It’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere.” (Upon hearing that, SLC’s mayor offered to get Cameron a map.) The hard-left Guardian quotes one senior British source as saying, “What a total shocker. We are speechless.” The Telegraph’s beating him up too:

Mitt Romney is perhaps the only politician who could start a trip that was supposed to be a charm offensive by being utterly devoid of charm and mildly offensive…

Not once have I heard him [in his stump speech] praise Britain or extol the special relationship he now belatedly trumpets. He even reprised his dislike of the NHS shortly before leaving for these shores of benighted, yellow-toothed natives who spend half their lives waiting in hospital, having tried as governor of Massachusetts to ensure that everyone in his state, as in Britain, had access to health care.

His current pledge to “revive” ties between the US and Britain sounds suspiciously like a talking point drummed up in a policy meeting and designed to differentiate himself from President Barack Obama for domestic purposes.

Romney’s since walked back his comments but the wet cement of this narrative is already turning dry. You’ll see three reactions on the right to all of this, I suspect. One: Who cares? It won’t cost Romney a single vote. As lefty Nate Silver put it, “[Doubtful] that Romney will carry Hertfordshire after this Olympics gaffe.” Two: Romney was right. Watch his comments again. He’s clearly been paying attention to British preparations from the unique perspective of a guy who’s had to deal with all of it before. Even Piers Morgan felt obliged to concede his points on CNN this afternoon. Fleet Street’s shooting the messenger here. Three: Why, Mitt, why? The point of the trip is to draw a contrast with The One’s oafish insistence on insulting the British after he took office, from removing the bust of Churchill in the Oval Office to this immortal moment of narcissistic idiocy. Romney’s going to restore the “special relationship” and his first step in doing so is by gladhanding every Brit in sight. (He even mentioned the Churchill bust today.) It’s the easiest diplomatic task imaginable. And yet, somehow, when Brian Williams tossed him a softball about whether British preparations looked okay, the executive/consultant within couldn’t resist a few criticisms. Baffling. This week is nothing but a big photo op, yet somehow it already involves Boris Johnson sneering at “a guy called Mitt Romney” at an Olympics rally. Good lord.

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Romney was absolutely right. I live one mile from the Olympic Park and it’s a disaster. London is not ready. From when you arrive at Heathrow, border control is chaos, you can wait up to 4 hours for passport control. Traffic is a disaster, everything is clogged up everywhere. Every day there is talk of other strikes. The joke around town is that “They ran out of toilet paper at the Olympics park”. Not that they actually did, but no one would be surprised if it actually happened. THAT’s how bog of the mess it is.

Romney spoke the truth, he called it like he sees it. Isn’t that what we want from our leaders? Yeah.. yeah I get the diplomacy. Just imagine if Romney would have just responded to the question that yeah everything looks perfect. The criticism would be that for someone who managed the Olympics he’s so out of touch of what really is going on. The British media would have gone after him for not knowing what’s going on and would have demanded that for someone who actually ran the Olympics he should have given real advice. Romney was in a lose lose situation.

Dammit – this Obama fellow is surely poisoning our relations with our long time friends in Great Britain – the guys who were stalwart in supporting us in the war on terror! Why Obama even gave back that bust of Churchill and gave the Queen an Ipod with his speeches on it! THIS SH** HAS TO STOP PEOPLE!!

Mittbotts today …

If I were Mitt, I’d hold every US meeting of my Presidency with Cameron in SLC. And never say a word about it. Just greet him with a smile. But I’m a bastard like that.

Kate Miltner already contributed greatly to the world with her London School of Economics dissertation on LOLcats. But she’s given us another gift by recently tweeting an awesome photo, bringing an important new fashion product to our attention.

Maiden, a U.K. purveyor of stationery, tote bags and other cute knick-knacks, has gotten into the Olympics spirit, selling a series of humorous Olympic-themed products. The highlight of the collection? A cheeky canvas bag that reads, “I’m Renting My Flat To A Fat American Family.”

Fun fact: about 35.7 percent of American adults are obese, whereas about 26.1 percent of adults in the U.K. earn the “obese” label.

Which isn’t to say that American fans visiting London for the 2012 Olympics this week are necessarily overweight. But the £15.00 tote bag is amusing nonetheless.

At least we think it is. Do you find the dig at Americans bothersome? Check out the “America family” bag, as well as two other funny designs, below… and if you’re so inclined, pick one up at Maiden.com.

Strange Romney makes a small gaffe, I’m not even sure it qualifies as a full fledged gaffe, but let’s just call it a small gaffe. Three things occur. One, Romney’s strident supporters can’t acknowledge the misstep and act very thin skinned and too defensive by half about it. Two, Romneys detractors act as if it is Armageddon, and is the end all, thereby making them feel too justified by half in their admitted overall dislike of the man. Three, leftist trolls and leftists feel as though they have something to attack Romney on. And in doing so overshoot by about half. Is that a fair summation of all this much to do about nothing?

Looks to me like you’re making a great argument that Obama has been right all along to snub the Brits.

When did you start shilling for Obama?

LMFAO!!

HondaV65 on July 26, 2012 at 8:43 PM

You are so ridiculous…I am aware of the anti Americanism that exists in Europe and Great Britain, especially among the media. I was aware of it long before Mitt Romney was running for President.
This has nothing to do with nuking anyone. And I am not shilling for Obama either, however, I can not say the same thing for you.

Governor Romney is on a goodwill mission to the British Isles, hopefully to rectify the insult of Obama returning the bust of Winston Churchill, and he gets into a pissing contest with them? What is his goal? Does he want to take over managing the Olympics or the Presidency of the United States? Don’t get me wrong, I’m an avid supporter of his, but someone please get him up to speed on diplomacy! I would have thought only Obama could make such a bone-headed, amateurish error! Come on, Mitt, get your game on!

Oracleforhire on July 26, 2012 at 7:20 PM

That’s how I see it. I’m glad a Mitt supporter agrees, because so few will call it as it is.

I’m a conservative who got tired of voting for GOP Ayatollahs who promised me they’d cut government and never, not even one time – did.

So no – I’m not a Republican – though I am registered as one and vote in the primaries in the sincere hope that we can get this party away from the elites who have ruined the hope of conservatism.

You’re still plugged into the Matrix. Enjoy the illusion!

LMFAO!!

HondaV65 on July 26, 2012 at 8:45 PM

So, this means that you are some loud mouthed obnoxious moron that deserts the party because the other rank and file Republicans out there did not kiss your ass and vote for whoever you happened to be backing at the time…so now you just have to turn on the whole party and rave like some lunatic on a comment thread. Fine…go vote for Obama until and unless every other Republican out there gets the message and says how high when you say jump..or sit home and pout..whatever. I am done with you.

I don’t stand behind Sarah Palin. I’m interested in Palin only as a spoiler – if she ran indie – she wouldn’t get my vote (that vote is going to Obama) – but she would get the votes of enough real conservatives to de-rail this embarrassing ayatollah the GOP has put forward as a nominee.

HondaV65 on July 26, 2012 at 8:32 PM

So what happened to your address in “Palinville”?

BTW- I especially love the prediction the Perry “has the speaking talent” and “is in it for the duration”.

Not a recent change … sure, I was a die-hard Palinista and I still don’t believe these stories about her. I could give a rat’s ass for Nicole Wallace – I don’t like her.

But the thing is …

1. Sarah Palin, though she could still enter this race, it’s too late for her to win it. All of us in “Palinville” acknowledged that she had bad numbers with indies – and we said she could turn those numbers around. And – she’s had about three or four opportunities to jump on stage with the other GOP candidates and start creating a narrative that would turn those numbers around. She hasn’t done it. She – of all people, needed to jump into this race early so she could repair the damage done to her reputation by the LSM.

2. Had she jumped in – Rick Perry would not have – and we would not be having this discussion.

3. Perry’s in for the duration – he’s got the money and organization – if not the speaking talent. So the only thing Palin does by getting in at this point is split the Conservative vote to give Romney a boost to the nomination.

I don’t know if anyone ever gave you a link, or if you looked at AP’s, but this was in the headlines earlier. If you scroll down you’ll see quotes from the NBC interview–those are the ones that made the Brits mad.

His answer later when he was with Miliband was fine, and was what he should have said earlier.

His staff really, really needs to make him practice impromptu speeches and answers to all sorts of questions. They need to think of the most hostile ones that they can. That’s the only way to improve.

You are so ridiculous…I am aware of the anti Americanism that exists in Europe and Great Britain, especially among the media. I was aware of it long before Mitt Romney was running for President.
This has nothing to do with nuking anyone. And I am not shilling for Obama either, however, I can not say the same thing for you.

Terrye on July 26, 2012 at 8:47 PM

So why dis on the Brits? If Cameron had come over here and said something like that – you’d have been all over him.

Get over yourself.

And by the way – the anti-Americanism came along well before Obama. ;)

Strange Romney makes a small gaffe, I’m not even sure it qualifies as a full fledged gaffe, but let’s just call it a small gaffe. Three things occur. One, Romney’s strident supporters can’t acknowledge the misstep and act very thin skinned and too defensive by half about it. Two, Romneys detractors act as if it is Armageddon, and is the end all, thereby making them feel too justified by half in their admitted overall dislike of the man. Three, leftist trolls and leftists feel as though they have something to attack Romney on. And in doing so overshoot by about half. Is that a fair summation of all this much to do about nothing?

Bmore on July 26, 2012 at 8:46 PM

I think you have a real point here.I think one of the reasons that some of us are defending Romney is that the reaction was so over the top to the socalled gaffe. I would prefer that it had not happened..I am sure if he had it to do again, he would probably just smile and say it all looks perfect…but then again, the media just went nuts..and the people who always look for an excuse to go after Romney went off on him and in the end..it is all so silly.

I think you have a real point here.I think one of the reasons that some of us are defending Romney is that the reaction was so over the top to the socalled gaffe. I would prefer that it had not happened..I am sure if he had it to do again, he would probably just smile and say it all looks perfect…but then again, the media just went nuts..and the people who always look for an excuse to go after Romney went off on him and in the end..it is all so silly.

He never did win it straight up – he won it by splitting the conservative vote. His performance in the south – the geopolitical center of the Republican universe – was lackluster and he LOST in some of the constests down here – especially here in Louisiana where Sweater Vest whipped his ass.

Now – I was wrong that he wouldn’t win the GOP nomination – which is why I won’t make a prediction on whether he’ll win or lose in November.

And – I’ll make this prediction also – before you shut your eyes tonight to go beddie bye – you’ll be thinking of HONDAV65 – because I’m living in your head rent free.

Dammit – this Obama fellow is surely poisoning our relations with our long time friends in Great Britain – the guys who were stalwart in supporting us in the war on terror! Why Obama even gave back that bust of Churchill and gave the Queen an Ipod with his speeches on it! THIS SH** HAS TO STOP PEOPLE!!
Mittbotts today …

If I were Mitt, I’d hold every US meeting of my Presidency with Cameron in SLC. And never say a word about it. Just greet him with a smile. But I’m a bastard like that.

WhatSlushfund on July 26, 2012 at 8:33 PM

HondaV65 on July 26, 2012 at 8:38 PM

Huh? I am not a Mitt-bot. I am sorely disappointed that he is the nominee (although I’ll hold my nose and vote for him). My point was that Cameron was out of line. Even if Romney’s remark was poor diplomacy, he clearly didn’t mean it as an attack. Cameron responded by pretty much attacking a lot of the US – essentially parroting the US lib “flyover state” rhetoric.

If the other Mitt people had said something similar to Oracleforhire on July 26, 2012 at 7:20 PM, this thread would have died out quickly.

Most, however, insist he’s perfect and insult anyone who disagrees. I thought the list you left last night on the Walker thread was appropriate. I just went back and checked and there’s no reply. I don’t know if it was missed or ignored.

Great news, didn’t even watch the clip, I will take your word for it. Europe is socialist, Europe panders to the (not allow to say the nationality of the terrorists). Europe is lost. Good on Romney, sick and tired of the current panderer in chief.

He never did win it straight up – he won it by splitting the conservative vote. His performance in the south – the geopolitical center of the Republican universe – was lackluster and he LOST in some of the constests down here – especially here in Louisiana where Sweater Vest whipped his ass.

HondaV65 on July 26, 2012 at 9:00 PM

So basically, Wrongney lost a contest of “dumb and dumber” against a TheoCon doofus in the South? That’s like losing a clumsiness contest against the Three Stooges.

Thanks INC, yes I had gone back and read everything I could. Mainly because when I got to this thread, admittedly late, I was surprised by all the hub bub. My final take is that sometimes things take on a life of they’re own. This seems like one of those times. We all know Romney has the dreaded foot in mouth disorder. He’s proved that out many times. He has that uncanny ability to create tose unforced errors. In the larger picture, I find this particular instance a bit overplayed. As you are aware, I am by no stretch of the imagination a strident Romney supporter, the reactions just seem a bit over the top. From all sides.

We all know Romney has the dreaded foot in mouth disorder. He’s proved that out many times. He has that uncanny ability to create tose unforced errors. In the larger picture, I find this particular instance a bit overplayed. As you are aware, I am by no stretch of the imagination a strident Romney supporter, the reactions just seem a bit over the top. From all sides.

I can’t decide what’s more amusing; the Press working themselves into outrage because some johnny foreigner has accused us of not being ready for the games, or the frothing at the mouth comments by fellow commentators.

It took Mitt exactly one day overseas before he started apologizing to foreign leaders. Note to Mitt…when you are in Poland, don’t tell them the light bulbs are not installed correctly. Also, when you go over to Israel, please don’t bring up that you’re good friends with their long lost relatives…you know the Indians.

It took Mitt exactly one day overseas before he started apologizing to foreign leaders. Note to Mitt…when you are in Poland, don’t tell them the light bulbs are not installed correctly. Also, when you go over to Israel, please don’t bring up that you’re good friends with their long lost relatives…you know the Indians.

1) This is the worst. You never talk about intelligence briefings. Here we are talking about White House leaks and Romney leaks British intel. You simply do not do that. What you talk about is “private”. Period. I sure hope a Syrian does not lose his life over this.

2) You do not rain on someones parade. Period. No excuses. He was not helping in any way just raining on their parade.

3) His expensive horse in the Olympics and he is bragging about it. Give me a break. Rubbing his wealth in our faces. Bad performance.

Thanks for the reminder – the a good portion of the Perry tribe were some of the nastiest, most irritating posters going. Glad most of them are gone. Makes sense now that there was a period where it was quiet. It seems the butthurt of seeing Perry crash and burn has diminished and now we are being punished for Perry’s bad performance.

The larger clip here adds some context. It bothered me that Mitt had no idea what his wives horse would be doing. Can not imaging my wife would be happy if I did not care enough about her to find that out were she Ann.

It also bothers me that Piers is defending Romney. He hates all non Democrats. But then too I do consider Romney a Democrat guess so does Piers. Again you do not rain on someones parade.

It’s official – Romney’s trip has proved to be a PR fiasco. The kicker is he didn’t even have to be there or say any of it! And just when he seemed to be on offensive again. Someone save that man from himself!

It’s official – Romney’s trip has proved to be a PR fiasco. The kicker is he didn’t even have to be there or say any of it! And just when he seemed to be on offensive again. Someone save that man from himself!

inthemiddle on July 26, 2012 at 11:08 PM

You mean like when Obama gifted the Queen DVDs encoded for the US NTSC region looool :)

Only Mittens is so devoid of tact or social intelligence that he has turned our biggest foreign ally against us in a matter of hours upon landing there. That has got to be some kind of record. On the other hand, somewhere Axelrod is offering to pay for any foreign travels Mittens wants to take from now on.

Only Mittens is so devoid of tact or social intelligence that he has turned our biggest foreign ally against us in a matter of hours upon landing there. That has got to be some kind of record. On the other hand, somewhere Axelrod is offering to pay for any foreign travels Mittens wants to take from now on.

inthemiddle on July 26, 2012 at 11:18 PM

I’m sure giving back that Churchill bust, giving the Queen an iPod of your speeches and those DVDs that didn’t work, classless trash, and the falkland island debacle is gonna be a bigger snub.
But, keep dreaming, stupid.

Really dumba$$…
Obama hands an ipod of his own speeches to the Queen…this in conjunction with giving the Brits a bunch of lame CD’s in the wrong format.

….and after the Brits had a gift made from a slave ship to represent their support for how far the black community had come.

….or was taking Churchill’s bust out of the White House not insulting enough.

Obama had insulted the British so much that he was not even invited to the Royal wedding.

…..and of course the best way to tie this era of democratic stupidity up was for the Obama administration to leak out a secret program and expose an invaluable M15 al-qaeda undercover agent with one of their self-serving leaks.

….does your dumba$$ even have the ability to think past a double digit IQ before you post???????

Only Mittens is so devoid of tact or social intelligence that he has turned our biggest foreign ally against us in a matter of hours upon landing there. That has got to be some kind of record. On the other hand, somewhere Axelrod is offering to pay for any foreign travels Mittens wants to take from now on.

inthemiddle on July 26, 2012 at 11:18 PM

Not to worry, obama took care of that long before mitt, he pretty much pissed on he US-UK ‘special relation’ when he returned Churchill’s bust and when he implied that the UK austerity policies are somehow nor the right policies for the UK….soon after that he was pretty much told off and suggested to to mind his own economic problems and deficit by both Merkel amd Cameron….talking of monumental gaffes :)…as for what Mitt did, that’s not a gaffe, idiot, it was all over the newspapers and media in England, if you bothered to inform yourself you’d know that one of the private security firms contracted to provide security during the Oympic games failed to provide the adequate number of security guards, reason why they had to bring more military personnel in…so it’s the preparations for the even that were inadequate and a fiasco by the organizers, Mitt only repeated everybody”s concern over the security screw up…when you have so many people from all over the world in your country for an event of that magnitutde, I believe that the sensitivity of the Brits over the criticism is less important, what matters is the security of hundreds of thousanfs of people present at the event…so, MItt was right in expressing concerns over preparations…

The larger clip here adds some context. It bothered me that Mitt had no idea what his wives horse would be doing. Can not imaging my wife would be happy if I did not care enough about her to find that out were she Ann.

It also bothers me that Piers is defending Romney. He hates all non Democrats. But then too I do consider Romney a Democrat guess so does Piers. Again you do not rain on someones parade.

Steveangell on July 26, 2012 at 11:00 PM

What? I mean really…Romney gets in trouble if a British media guy is sort of nice to him and he gets in trouble if a British media guy or gal is mad at him.

And to hear Charles Krauthammer tell it..it is a bad thing is Romney is associated with the horse thing..but then it is a bad thing if Romney does not know about the horse stuff.

Palin has been overseas and hasn’t f**ked up this way. She’s a careful steward of the language, though you wouldn’t tell by listening to the media.

This is what we get for nominating Governor Marmalarde.

victor82 on July 26, 2012 at 10:20 PM

Really? When?

And btw, one of the reasons that Sarah Palin was not nominated was that she did not bother to run. Governor Marmalarde…{whatever that means} did..and he won the most votes. Sarah was too busy doing reality TV.